[Findrorylater]

I’m not 100% sure which forum this would come under, so I’ve posted this here.

I have a network that is giving me more hassle than anything else.
The wireless router (a Buffalo WBMR-G54) connects to Computer 1 via cable. This is also connected to the ADSL line, and has another cable leading to Computer 2. Although Computer 1 is directly connected to the Router, it doesn’t seem to receive any internet from it (it comes up saying that a network cable is unplugged). I’ve tried different cables to no avail.

The second problem is with Computer 2, which is in my brothers’ room. We have an Ethernet switch that connects the cables from Computer 1, Computer 2, and an extra cable which connects to my room. Computer 2 also has a message saying that a network cable is unplugged. Computer 2 tends to work when Computer 1 does, which is why I think that it will also regain access to the internet when Computer 1 does.

The cable in my room is usually plugged straight into my laptop, but recently this doesn’t seem to “provide internet” anymore. Initially I thought that this was due to the Ethernet switch, but no matter which way the cables are connected to the Ethernet switch the laptop still has little to work with. It seems to only recieve information but not send any, or vice versa.

Normally this wouldn’t be so much of a problem if my wireless connection was reliable. However, my laptop constantly disconnects from the Router, even when positioned less than a metre away. It still gains access for brief periods however, which is how I am posting this. To begin with, Computers 1 and 2 worked fine and the LAN/wireless problems with my laptop were the only ones.

So in conclusion, there are 3 computers in my house, and only one gains internet. Any ideas on how I can get my wireless and LAN working properly again? Will I have to reinstall the LAN from scratch? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[johnwill]

I think I'd start by cycling power on the router.

Take the laptop directly to the router and plug it in with a known good patch cable, if it doesn't work, try another port on the router. Get one working reliably first before you puzzle over a bunch of them.

 

[Findrorylater]

Barely five minutes ago, Computer 1 started working meaning that Computer 2 did too. My laptop seems to be working fine with the cable now as well, although I've no idea why - they'd all been down for almost the whole day, and I haven't changed anything from this morning. I'm still having the wireless problems for the past month though, so perhaps this topic would be better off being moved.

To expand on the problems with my wireless, it only seems to be my laptop and the router having the issue. I can connect Nintendo DS's and Wiis to the wireless with no problems at all, and my laptop connects to any other wireless network without any hassle. Would I have to look into wireless settings of the router, or the laptop? Could it just be the wireless network?

 

[johnwill]

Some things you can try here, listed in the order you should try them.

1. For wireless connections, remove all the stored wireless profiles and search for networks. You'll have to enter the encryption key again, which is sometimes the issue for connection problems.
2. For wireless connections, change the channel on the router, I like channels 1, 6, and 11 in the US.
3. For wireless connections, try moving either the wireless router/AP or the wireless computer. Even a couple of feet will sometimes make a big difference.
4. Update the network drivers (wired and wireless) on your computer to the latest available.
5. Update the firmware to the latest version available on the manufacturer's site.
6. Reset the router to factory defaults and reconfigure.

Many times these measures will resolve a lot of intermittent issues.


Another thing to try for Vista is the following set of fixes.


Changes that may help to increase the compatibility of Vista & Windows 7 with older networking devices:



Disable the IP Helper service:

1. Hold the Windows key and type R, enter "services.msc" (without the quotes) and press Enter
2. Scroll down to the IP Helper service, right click on it and select Properties
3. In the dropdown box that says "Automatic" or "Manual", set it to Disabled and then click on "Apply"
4. Then click on "Stop" to stop the service from running in the current session
5. Click OK to exit the dialog



Disable IPv6:

1. Hold the Windows key and type R, enter "ncpa.cpl" (without the quotes) and press Enter
2. Right click on each network connection and select "Properties"
3. Remove the checkmark from the box next to "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
4. Click OK to exit the dialog

NOTE: You should do this for each network connection.



Disable the DHCP Broadcast Flag:

Link: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/928233

1. Hold the Windows key and type R, enter regedit and press Enter.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}
4. In this registry path, click the (GUID) subkey to be updated.
5. If the key DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag does not exist, use the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value. In the New Value #1 box, type DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag, and then press ENTER. If the key exists, skip this step.
6. Right-click DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag, and then click Modify.
7. In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
8. Close Registry Editor.

NOTE: You should do this for each and every GUID subkey.
NOTE2: (GUID) is a mnemonic for the individual subkeys, the actual text "GUID" does not appaer.




The only program I'm aware of that currently relies on IPv6 is the new Windows Meeting Space. The first 2 changes will cause that program not to work - but will leave all of your normal (IPv4) connections unaffected. If it causes problems that you can't overcome, simply revert back to the original settings.